When you walk into Donovan CPAs, you feel it immediately: this is not your typical accounting firm. The open conversations, approachable leadership, and real sense of collaboration all start with one simple but powerful thing: Donovan’s Playbook.
What Is the Donovan Playbook?
On day one, every new hire finds a Playbook waiting on their desk. It’s not an employee manual. It’s a clear map of Donovan’s core values, what success looks like, and how each person can shape their own career. As BJ Lippert, Managing Partner, says: “Here’s what your career looks like. Not just today, not just in your current role, but where you want to go with it.”
Unlike firms where career progression is dictated by time alone, Donovan’s Playbook shows team members exactly what they need to do to grow. It then gives them the freedom and support to get there at their own pace.
Putting Culture Into Action Every Day
The Playbook is lived out through everyday moments. Every employee has regular meetings with supervisors to talk about goals and align on growth plans. BJ Lippert personally meets with every new hire for an open conversation about the mission, vision, and values, and to make sure the door for honest communication stays wide open.
“I tell interns all the way up through experienced managers: come to me, I’m available. My door is wide open. I want to hear from you,” BJ shares. This mindset stands in stark contrast to the traditional, hierarchical feel that can make partners seem distant in other firms.
Of course, the team at Donovan enjoys pizza parties, donut challenges, and bowling nights, but the leadership knows that real culture runs deeper than fun perks. “Culture is not an event. It’s a feeling,” BJ says. “You feel it when you walk into this office.” Collaboration, support, and approachability are woven into every interaction.
We Live Our Mission
Most CPA firms put their clients first, but Donovan is not like most CPA firms. We believe prioritizing our team members above all else will ultimately lead to the best possible client experience. We are creating a firm where passion is a prerequisite, and that passion passes on to the clients we serve. That’s our culture.
The Donovan Playbook is a promise. Your career here is yours to shape, with a clear roadmap and open support from everyone around you. It’s one more way Donovan CPAs shows that people come first. When people feel supported, they do their best work.
Ready to grow your career somewhere that puts people first? Send us your resume.
